Harishchandragad via Pachnai

Hello All,

Thanks for the immense feedback and feels great to know that my Blogs are being read by Enthusiasts on a large scale.

Let me share another wonderful experience that I had been recently.

Destination was the same “HARISHCHANDRAGAD”… but via Pachnai route

This poute is considered the shortest and easiest way to reach the Top, but….

Nothing comes without a price.

We have delayed this plan for almost 2 months and suddenly, one fine evening, we decided to move on.

It was Saturday, @ 7.30 am. Freshened myself, Packed my stuff, got ready, Took my bike and vroom…….off we go.!!!

First meeting point was Padgha toll naka on Mumbai Nasik Highway since Pritesh and Mahesh were to join me from Mumbai side.

Padgha Toll Naka

Moving along the scenic beauty of countryside views we marched towards Kasara crossing the Majestic Mahuli Gad at Asangaon it was already 11am

Took a break to fill our tummy and gave a bath to our darling companions (My Unicorn and Pritesh’s Jupiter) we had a healthy Brunch as we were already running behind schedule.

Selfie lele re..!!!!

We took  the Kasara – Igatpuri –Ghoti section… Awesome and smooth road, didn’t realize we were riding with heat above.

Looking ahead for directions, asked some local jeep-walas, they asked us to keep Right and take the Bhandardara road (Nagpur - Aurangabad – Mumbai Highway)

This road was under construction and for some odd Kilometers we had to drive at 15kmph speed. 

Aarrrghhh…. Now I was little Irritated… asked PP(Pritesh Pisal) and MB (Mahesh Bait) to stop ahead.

Fortunately the location was soooooo amazing….. we couldn’t contain the Photographer in us. 

Atrangi Bhaijaan..!!!

Main aur meri jaan

PP With his Jupiter

My Dearest Darling.....

People cossing us by must b thinking… “Ye 3 Yede kyaa kar rahe hai itni Dhoop me” (what are there 3 idiots doing in this scorching heat)

The Aftermath of Monsoon, Green surrounding, valleys, mountains just filled our soul with energy to ride ahead …… AGAIN.

serene countryside

Next Stop: Rajur Phata. From here Pachnai village is 30kms…and most part is an Offroad with ups and downs…

Took some rest at 2-3 places to enjoy the scenic beauty which we miss in the Urban lifestyle.

Small Dams constructed to preserve flowing water, Little boys demonstrating their diving skills CAREFREE. Took some snaps and moved to complete the rest part….

beautiful lake

Photographer ki nishaani

Red Dragonfly

M in the Air...

here i come..!!!!!

HELL….. where were we heading, the pathetic condition of road shook each and every part of our body.. in and out. I felt as if the Parts of my Bike would just fall off anytime

But My Unicorn NEVER-EVER disappoints me. Cruised me safely to Pachnai village by 3pm

Parked our bikes at a home for 20Rs each for 1 day – worthy isn’t it.

the Board describes the Massiveness of Harishchandragad

Since we were trekking from this side for the very First time, saw young kids... even toddlers running us past for the fort atop. But we were in our own world and taking sweet time, enjoying every bit of the step taken.

and we Start the Trek

capturing each moment

entire view

PC: Mahesh Bait

Selfie with the Valley

By 5pm we had already reached the Temple area, called up our Food organizer, took the tent and asked him to directly bring the food at Kokankada by 9

Harishchandreshwar Temple

6ft idol @ Ganesh Gufa

Enjoying the sunset at Kokankada is a Stress buster with nothing to match it. By the time we ordered our “T”… PP and MB had started to raise the tent.

Behold....the Tent Raisers..!!!

Rangeen Tamboo without bamboo

This is indeed a Magical place. 10 minutes within the sun set… temperature declines immensely forcing you to rush inside your tent or add on some more clothes. So to keep us busy, we lit a campfire that attracted other people as well.

Campfire

Exactly by 9 we were served food.

Menu: Bhaakri, Mirchi cha Thecha, Pithla, Amba Loncha, Bhaat ani Daal.

Who can ask for such unlimited food just for nominal cost.

PC: Mahesh Bait

PC: Mahesh Bait

Angaaar

MB is a professional photographer and he went on to explore his creativity and PP as his subject. I couldn’t stand the chilly wind outside and slept in.

By 3am the moon was high and breeze turned to wind. If I hadn’t been in the Tent, it would have flown away.

So now it was time to rest…

Got up at 7 in the morning and explored some other angles of Kokankada, and then moved towards Harishchandreshwar Mandir.

Kokankada - side view

Had Upma for Breakfast and T, settled off the payments and visited Kedareshwar befored decending. By 11am we were at Base.

Kedareshwar

Harishchandreshwar temple

PC: Mahesh Bait

ready to depart

Chameloen

The villagers suggested us to take Malshej Ghat route to reach Kalyan earlier, which was our mistake. Infact the roads were soo pathetic, it almost spoiled our timing. No worries, atleast we now have 2 ways to reach Pachnai.

Marigold plantation

Rohidas and Taramati peak

Good bye... and see you soon, with another such “Trexperience” J

Regards,

Sumeet Rao (Sumya)